Arielluria

I'm pretty new to SS and new to this site. I would also like an explanation since I am positive for SSA & SSB and my RA Factor is high (184....range is 0-13.9), my C3 is low (81 .... range from 90-180) and C4 is normal (18....range 9-36). My rheumatologist didn't suspect RA.

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mscamillec

thanks for the chart! i just seen my rheumy(his partner) because i had a High ANA 1:40 speckled and a positive sjogrens AB (SSB). i originally went to the practice 2 years ago with a high Ana and the other doc was abrupt (i was told to go) i never had the Sjogrens AB test done previously through independent labs sand same results 2 years later. when the rheumy saw my newest labs he said be prepaired to go on medication,and he drew other labs (cpk,adolace,g6pd, &compliment CH50). I have been diagnosed with ms almost for 10 years and the ms injections have no effect on mr ever but doing them like i should. ms and Sjogrens have the same issues even brain lesions during a flare. Makes me think i asked the rheumy if i could of had sjogrens all along instead of ms and he said there is a possibility. i dont know if you can have both.

Linda: I am asking a question to which I should know the answer. You can see/tell I am a newbie. I saw my rheumatologist yesterday for the second time. I was seen/tested first of Dec. He called a week later to confirm positive for SS (primary). I've lived on this board pretty much since then.

He told me yesterday I tested positive for "all three" antibodies for SS. I thought there were more..then decided he meant for primary type. My question is this: are the antibodies he is referring to ANA and SS-A and SS-B? I know you are wondering, well..why didn't she ask the doctor. Well..there was SO much information he was giving me...and he had been so surprised...believing I has Sicca Complex...that I just never got back to it. Carolina suggested that I get a copy of my report-and I shall. There is just SO much. Can you help me?

@ccourt, my first instinct would be to include the anti-RNP with the anti-SSa and SSb. The ANA is very non-specific, and usually just leads the doctor to determine that there is an immune condition.

The anti-RNP is more commonly associated with Lupus, but often shows up in Sjogren's, without being paired with the anti-SM that indicates Lupus. It seems to be an indicator of Raynaud's when present in Lupus patients, just as a point of interest.

He may also have meant the Rheumatoid Factor (RF) which, despite its name, is not a specific indicator of Rheumatoid Arthritis. RF shows up in a number of autoimmune diseases when there is joint involvement.

I completely understand the information overload situation, and it sounds like your doctor was experiencing a bit of the same, seeing results he wasn't prepared for!

Thnanks for bringing that to my attention, AndyFel. not sure why clicking on it isn't working, but if you aren't on a phone, you can right click on it, open in a new tab or window, and it will be greatly enlarged.